Music Ministry

Music that blends both spiritual and artistic excellence, is liturgical- it is sacred. Such music has the ability to cultivate, strengthen, and deepen the spiritual experience of those gathered for worship. The musical tradition of the Church is a treasure of immeasurable value. Liturgical music never dominates but serves. Sacred music imparts spiritual truth to one's mind, heart, and soul. It displays a dimension of meaning and feeling that mere words cannot. Music makes prayer more pleasing, promotes a sense of congregational unity, and confers greater solemnity upon the sacred rites. When deciding which parts of the Mass are to be sung, preference is given to those which are more important, especially those which the priest, one of his assistants, or a cantor is to sing in alternation with the people, or which all are to sing together. Singing is an expression of joy!

In Colossians 3:16, St. Paul exhorts the faithful assembled in expectation of their Lord's return sing together. He says, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." Our relationship with God is one of love, and whether we sing loudly or softly, on pitch or out of tune, SING! St. Augustine very rightly says that, "it is natural for a lover to sing," "those who sing, pray twice."

The Role of Liturgical Music:

Liturgical music is central to liturgy. It is an essential part of the public prayer of the Christian community. We need to sing the liturgy (e.g. sing the parts of the Mass), not sing at the liturgy.

Music has a ministerial role. It must not dominate the ritual but serve, helping the faithful express and share their faith and strengthen commitment to their faith.

Music unifies, uniting the gathered faithful to Christ and each other. It draws the faithful into the centre of worship, into full, conscious and active participation in a common ritual action.

Effective liturgical music contributes to good celebrations which "foster and nourish faith."

Music is part of the symbolic language of worship. Music too, can be a vehicle of God's revelation. It is a symbol of unity in a worship community between the people and their God and also among people themselves. Music can evoke a personal response from us as individuals and can enhance our own relationship with God. To be present at a liturgy, that is filled with music and singing can be an incredibly fulfilling experience. Music in the liturgy give us the opportunity to communicate with our Creator who has endowed us with the gifts of sound and silence.

"The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul" - JSB"As a manifestation of the human spirit," said John Paul II in 1989, "music performs a function which is noble, unique, and irreplaceable. When it is truly beautiful and inspired, it speaks to us more than all the other arts of goodness, virtue, peace, of matters holy and divine. Not for nothing has it always been, and will it always be, and essential part of the liturgy."

If you would like to join the choir, now is a great time! Please contact the parish office at 319-337-2856.